Best senior dog food to keep a spring in their step

Senior dogs are prone to joint, dental, stomach, and weight problems and need to have more tailored senior dog food to suit their needs, which is why it's important that we give our beloved pooches the best senior dog food to ensure they're healthy and happy in the twilight years of their lives.

Even as they get older, one of the highlights of any dog's day is dinner time (followed closely by walks and cuddles). So you'll want to choose a food for your older dog that's not only packed with all the vitamins and nutrients they need but is tongue-waggingly tasty, too.

Best senior dog food at a glance:

• Editor's Choice: IAMS for Vitality Small and Medium Breed Dry Senior Dog Food - View on Amazon UK
• Best wet senior dog food: Lily's Kitchen Senior Recipe - View on Lily's Kitchen
• Best dry senior dog food: Wagg Complete Senior Chicken and Rice Dry Dog Food - View on Viovet

Older hounds typically snooze a lot more and move a lot less so senior food typically has fewer calories than regular food to accommodate that, ensuring they don't pile on the pounds. They should, however, have higher levels of protein to help them maintain muscle mass. Most food for older dogs will have added pet supplements to ensure their joints stay in the best condition possible, too.

It is important to make sure your older dog's diet is full of proteins, digestible ingredients, added omega oils, softer textures, and contain joint supplements. Whether your pooch prefers dry dog food or wet food, we've rounded up the best senior dog foods that contain a mixture of all these essentials.

Best senior dog food

Many breeds have a sensitivity, allergy or intolerance to something, so if you want to make sure you give your older pooch food that doesn't cause further issues, select a specially-made dog food for allergies that have been formulated without ingredients that may cause your dog to have itchy skin or stomach issues.

FAQs

When should you switch to senior dog food?

Depending on breed and size, most dogs will be classified as mature adults between six and eight years old. When they reach eight, they can then make a switch to senior dog food from their regular wet dog food or dry food. Senior food contains ingredients and supplements that are specific to the later years of your pooch's life.

Is senior dog food necessary?

Of course, you don't have to make the switch if you don't want to, but you should be willing to provide supplements if your dog is showing signs of ageing, such as adding vitamins to their food.

Your dog might become a little fussier with age, or may find it harder to eat as their teeth wear but that doesn't mean they can't still enjoy their food, which is why buying tailored recipes will help your dog in their later years.

What is the best food for a senior dog?

The best food for a senior dog is one that is nutritionally balanced but with lower calorie content compared to regular adult dog food. Ageing pooches aren’t as energetic as they once were, so they don’t need to consume as many calories as their activity level is reduced. Dog food that is too high in calories can cause your elderly pup to pile on the pounds, which can put extra pressure on their already ageing/weak joints.

As well as making sure you choose a food with lower calorie content, the best senior dog food is one that has easily digestible proteins, joint-supporting ingredients like glucosamine, and omega-3 fatty acids to help their cognitive function.

What not to feed a senior dog?

You should avoid feeding your senior dog a diet that is high in fat and full of calories as their slower pace of life can make them more prone to weight gain as they’re not as active as they were when they were an adult.

Of course, many human foods are toxic to dogs of all ages so you should avoid these completely. Foods such as chocolate, grapes and onions should be off limits to your senior dog as ingesting these can cause health complications and can even be fatal in some cases.

How many times a day should a senior dog eat?

Senior dogs may benefit from being fed little and often as they get older to aid their digestion and help them maintain energy levels throughout the day. You may want to consider feeding them smaller meals three times a day, rather than just larger meals in the morning and evening. However, this is all determined by your elderly pooch’s size, health and activity level so what works for one dog may not work for all dogs. If you feel like your dog may benefit from a change in their feeding schedule as they get older, speak to your vet as they will be able to help you decide what would be best for your pooch.

Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not researching and testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.